Tavares More Than Rocker

FOOTBALL

Leesburg Coach Charles Nassar Is Wary Of The Bulldogs, Who May Be Without Their Star Back.

October 7, 2004|By Joe Williams, Sentinel Staff Writer

LEESBURG -- Whether or not Tavares running back Dominique Rocker can play this week isn't a concern to Leesburg Coach Charles Nassar.

Rocker limped off the field during last week's game with a bruise to his right thigh early in the third quarter and didn't return.

According to Tavares Coach George Sneed, the injury has been bothering Rocker throughout the season. Rocker carried the ball only twice for 10 yards before leaving the game. But he made an impact in the game, intercepting a pass and returning it 57 yards for a touchdown before aggravating the injury.

Tavares (4-0) is ranked No. 3 in the Florida Sports Writers Association's Class 2A state poll heading into Friday night's game against Leesburg (2-3) at H.O. Dabney Stadium at 7:30. Tavares will be looking to keep its unbeaten run alive in this non-district game. And though the Bulldogs might be without Rocker for a game that does not have playoff implications, Nassar is worried.

"I don't think we are going to be able to shut down their running attack," Nassar said. "For us, the best defense will probably be to just keep the ball on offense and use up the clock."

Leesburg enters the game with one of the most exciting offensive weapons in the area in quarterback Tyler Hill.

"Coming in, we knew Tyler would handle the triple option very well, but what we had no idea about was how well he would do on the perimeter," Nassar said. "He has been making some great decisions on the double option, when to pitch the football or keep it."

Stopping Hill is something that few teams have been able to accomplish this season. Hill has carried the ball 90 times for 719 yards -- more than half of Leesburg's rushing total this season -- and seven touchdowns.

Containing Hill will be a priority of Tavares' defense, which received a great effort last week from safety Ryan Leary, who seemed to be all over the field, making great plays every time Tavares needed one. Among Leary's big plays, he caused and recovered a fumble and also made a hit that forced an interception.

Leary, who is the third-leading tackler on Tavares' defense with 24 total behind Josh Linam (36 tackles) and David Drees (29), also filled in effectively for Rocker as a running back, gaining 59 yards on 10 carries.

Leary helped take some of the load off of T.C. Smith, who has shared the feature back role in Tavares' offense with Rocker this season. Smith had 89 yards rushing against Umatilla, giving him 318 for the season -- second behind Rocker's 376.

Tavares quarterback Steven Brooker is 13-of-29 passing for 333 yards and three touchdowns.

"The difference between Tavares this year and last year is that their passing game is quite proficient," Nassar said.